INDUSTRY GROUP TAKES IDENTITY THEFT MESSAGE TO CONGRESS

Aug 1, 2005 12:00 PM

More than 100 members of the The National Counsel of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS) have met with various members of the U.S. Senate and House to discuss the potential harmful and unintended ramifications of various personal information protection bills and to form an Identity Fraud Summit.

“Congress was very receptive,” said Brain McGuinness, president of NCISS (www.nciss.org). “We provided legislators with insight into the role of professional investigators, the judicial system, the legal community, law enforcement, corporate security and private citizens.”

The meetings continue NCISS's efforts to draw attention to the concerns and potential problems created by limiting the access of investigators to information that helps them fight crime.

While NCISS advocates the protection of personal identification information, including stiffer penalties and improved enforcement, as well as notification of security breaches, the organization is working to develop legislation that provides an exemption for licensed investigators requiring access for specific cases, particularly identity theft.

The NCISS, with the support of organizations including ASIS Intl., have developed a “Six Point Identity Protection Program”:

• Conduct thorough credentialing of new accounts and those where a review indicates a new check is in order;

• Deny Internet sales of personal identification information to the general public;

• Increase penalties, such as fines and jail sentences, for the misuse of personal information;

• Enact legislation requiring data providers to notify customers of breaches;

• Prohibit use of Social Security numbers on identification documents such as healthcare insurance cards, drivers' licenses and state permits; and

• Allow access to personal data for licensed individuals who have submitted to a background investigation.

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